1: trouble finding 1st gear 2: how important is dual spark

[corbtown]

I was test driving a 2004 R1150R with 10,500 miles. After starting the bike, I could not find 1st gear from neutral after several attempts. I put it into 2nd, and then found 1st gear. Even after riding awhile, coming to a complete stop, then neutral again, I found it reluctant to go into 1st several times. How much of a problem is this? Is it just me, or a common issue. I've heard about double clutching. I've heard about just partially engaging the clutch, and other "remedies". Should I just find another bike. Except for this issue, the bike was flawless, and I'm interested in buying it.
If I don't get this bike, I found a 2003 R1150R, but it doesn't have the dual spark system. I've heard many things about the "surge" and how that was fixed by the dual spark. How big a deal is this?

[boxermania]

Now and again it would be hard to find 1st gear, both cold and warm, while cold get back to neutral, release the clutch and engage again and then try to go into 1st gear. While slowing down, shift down into 1st gear and then go to neutral if so desired.

Both the single spark and the dual spark surged under the right conditions as the A/F ratio was on the lean side, however, with a good tune-up and proper sync of the idle and the TB's the surging disappeared for the most part. The dual spark bikes have shown a propensity to kill the on the plug coils within 20 k to 30 k miles as they deteriorate with the engine heat.

My recommendation, if you want a BMW, is to peruse this forum and familiarize yourself the bike's idiosyncrasies, most owners have taken care of the little issues (tight nylon ties, fuel quick connects, oil level, using oil early on amongst others) and then buy the newest model that you can afford. Yes, I did own one for the better part of 4 years.

Best of luck.....

[Biff's R]

I was test driving a 2004 R1150R with 10,500 miles. After starting the bike, I could not find 1st gear from neutral after several attempts. I put it into 2nd, and then found 1st gear. Even after riding awhile, coming to a complete stop, then neutral again, I found it reluctant to go into 1st several times. How much of a problem is this? Is it just me, or a common issue. I've heard about double clutching. I've heard about just partially engaging the clutch, and other "remedies". Should I just find another bike. Except for this issue, the bike was flawless, and I'm interested in buying it.

It may just need new transmission oil(12k service). Sometimes, I have to rock the bike back in forth to get into first.

If I don't get this bike, I found a 2003 R1150R, but it doesn't have the dual spark system. I've heard many things about the "surge" and how that was fixed by the dual spark. How big a deal is this?

I have had both a single and a dual spark model, and it made no difference as to surging on my bikes. Both will a little at the wrong throttle opening. Single or dual spark would make no difference to me if I were buying an R right now.

The 2004 does have the stainless steel brake lines, and those are an improvement over the rubber lines on the older models.

[towerworker]

I've had both an 03 and an 04. Saw a tad bit of surging on the 03 but a careful TB sync took care of that. Have not experienced any surging with my 04.

Never had any real issue with finding 1st gear. You might try easing the clutch out just a little while pushing down on the shift if you find finding 1st problematic. As Biff's R stated possibly a tranny oil change might be in order.

Wayne

[NoRRmad]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5439&hilit=dogs

[Boxer]

When in neutral with the bike idling, pull in the clutch and count to 3 then tap the shifter. See if that helps.

[iowabeakster]

I had the same problem on my test ride, trying to find first. Rocking the bike, double clutch, partial clutch, whatever...becomes second nature. It is not a problem at all. It just happens when the tranny stops spinning and parts are not exactly lined up to allow it to slip into gear. Make the tranny move a bit and it'll slip right into gear. You won't have any trouble.

From what I can tell dual spark is not very important. It was probably added for emissions reasons. The guys who have the single spark love the bike too.

[def38]

Remember, the Boxers all have dry clutches which have no inherent clutch drag when disengaged. Hence, engaging first gear from neutral at a standstill may be difficult. BMW and Getrag (transmission manufacturer) have spent a lot of time attempting to provide quiet shifts and gearbox longevity for this design. Here is how to eliminate reluctant first gear engagement at a standstill;

1- At a standstill, disengage the clutch and within 1 second, depress the gearchange lever to engage 1st gear.

2- If the gearbox is cold, operate the gearchange lever more quickly than 1 second. Getrag designed the gearbox with a 1 second hot spindown to eliminate hot gearbox rattle and crunches when engaging first gear from a standstill.

3- Use 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil for the transmission with added moly for easier, quieter shifting and reduced gearbox friction.

[Hottech]

My 2004R always has abit of resistance to find first but I no longer panic. I have learned that if you pull in the clutch and let it out and pull it back in,it will engage everytime. I guess that is what you call double clutching. It is no longer an issue.

[Dr. Strangelove]

and just so you know when you do get it into first it may well be with a bit of a "clunk."

normal

described very well as "agricultural" in sound

John

[Oilhead]

Simutaneously pull in the clutch and push down firmly on the shift pedal. Works everytime for me.